Monthly Archives:
March 2014

Huge thanks as always goes to Beth Swan who designed and Frank Ciolino and Shewsberry who print the official GMG Sticker which we give away free when you send in a self stamped and addressed envelope.

Instructions-

Free GMG Gloucester Sticker

As long as supplies last if any GMG folks want a bumper sticker but can’t drop down the dock, just send a self addressed and stamped envelope longer then 7 and a half inches and I’ll drop one in the mail for you.Send the self addressed and stamped envelope to the dock at 95 East Main St Gloucester Ma 01930 care of Joey (put my name in big letters to make sure it gets to me)

Well the move is if you want to take the sticker to a whole new level is to cut an outline of the blue around the edges equidistant all the way around and round off the corners.

It gives The Sticka a totally die cut custom look.

Send in your stamped and addressed envelope to get a new sticker. Any self respecting FOB will get in on this.

Our expedition to the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserves was led by Tom Emmel, Ph.D. Tom is the Director of the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, which is part of the University of Florida’s Museum of Natural History. He is also the university’s professor of zoology and entomology and the author of over 400 publications, including 35 books. Not only is Dr. Emmel a professor and director of the center, he leads expeditions to research biodiversity around the world, including recent trips to Bali to Komodo Island to study the Komodo Dragon (with a great story of how he and his fellow travelers very nearly almost became Komodo Dragon supper), the Galapagos Islands, and Madagascar.

This was Dr. Emmel’s fortieth trip to Angangueo to study the Monarch Butterfly migration. His first trip was in 1980 with Dr. Lincoln Brower who had, at the same time as Dr. Fred Urquhart, discovered the Monarch colonies in 1975. In those first early years of conducting research at the biospheres, Dr. Emmel and Dr. Brower traveled on old mining roads, rode horseback to the colonies, and camped in tents. Today, there are well-marked trails with options for either hiking or horseback riding.

On the second day of our expedition, I interviewed Dr. Emmel at the top of Sierra Chincua Monarch Colony. He was also interviewed by a Mexican television crew at the summit of the Sierra Chincua biosphere. I am in the process of editing the interview footage and will have that ready to post in the near future. Amongst the many aspects of the Monarch’s migration discussed during the interview, Dr. Emmel reveals exactly how one counts millions upon millions of Monarchs and offers several theories as to why the butterflies migrate to the very specific climate zone of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. We cover the subject of Monarch conservation and precisely how Monsanto’s GMO genetically modified Roundup Ready corn and sorghum, and Bt-corn, are indisputably deadly to the Monarchs. You’ll be surprised at the results of the research that was conducted on our journey in regard to the numbers of Monarchs counted in the biospheres.

This photo was taken early in the day, before the butterflies awaken in the sun.You can see that the limb of the Oyamel tree is so heavily laden with butterflies, it appears as though it will snap at any moment. And oftentimes, the limbs do break! The butterflies scatter and then regroup to another location.

Meeting Dr. Emmel and fellow expedition travelers was one of the most interesting and exciting aspects of the journey. You can’t imagine traveling with a more knowledgeable expert than Dr. Emmel. He is not only a world authority on all aspects of the Monarch’s migration, the history of the development of the biospheres, and the community of Angangueo, he also has extensive knowledge about a wide range of wildlife species and topics relative to biodiversity and the natural world. He shares the information generously and with a sense of humor, too.

Dr. Emmel’s assistants, brothers Ian and Craig Segebarth, are two of the brightest and most helpful young men you could hope to meet. Marie Emerson, who works in the development department at the museum was a joy and also super helpful, as was Josh Dickinson, who was traveling with his wonderfully fun granddaughter, 5th grader Zoie Dickinson. Josh Dickinson has spent a lifetime consulting on forestry management and he will be helping with forestry management at the Monarch biospheres. Josh also speaks Spanish very well and was tremendously helpful, especially when I locked myself out of my hotel room! Thanks again Josh for your kind assistance!

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last year or so, you’ve probably seen this guy. He’s won 10 Grammys and was nominated for an Oscar. Turns out, he has a condition, known as synesthesia, which causes him to “see” music as colors.

In this very short, fascinating interview, he explains what that’s like and muses with The Dinner Party Download host, Rico Gagliano, about a possible celestial “key” for writing music.

OK, now that you’ve heard the interview, there’s still enough time to bop on down to Beverly at 3PM and sing along with Henri Smith and his band New Orleans Friends & Flavours featuring another Grammy winner, Charles Neville of the Neville brothers. We’re recording today’s concert, so you, too, can be on a record with Grammy winners! Seats are still available. Get them here.

Then, back to Cape Ann for some good music on this side of the bridge. See tonight’s full live music lineup here.

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As I left Sista Felicia’s house yesterday to go on a supplies run, I saw this jogger getting at it down the back shore. I scrambled for my phone to snag a quick shot. I was then inspired by this man. He wasn’t big, he wasn’t fast, he wasn’t young, but he sure as hell was getting it done. Who are you Bass Rocky? Does anybody know the mystery man?

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This winter has been so long, so cold, and so snowy. I think most of us are more than ready for spring. During the snow storm this week, I decided to brighten my day by going to Rocky Neck to enjoy some of bright colors and artistry displayed on manny of the homes and shops there.

I thought I would share some of the spots that helped brighten my day.

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NEW ENGLAND BOILED DINNERA traditional New England Boiled Dinner will be served at the First Baptist Church, 38 Gloucester Ave., on Saturday, March 15, at 5 p.m.The meal will include corned beef and smoked shoulder, vegetables, homemade bread, desserts, and beverages.The suggested donation is $10. Everyone is welcome. Please share with your friends! :)

Gloucester Webcam

The GloucesterCast Podcast

Free GMG Gloucester Sticker

As long as supplies last if any GMG folks want a bumper sticker but can't drop down the dock, just send a self addressed and stamped envelope longer then 7 and a half inches and I'll drop one in the mail for you.

Send the self addressed and stamped envelope to the dock at 95 East Main St Gloucester Ma 01930 care of Joey (put my name in big letters to make sure it gets to me)

Free GMG Gloucester Sticker

As long as supplies last if any GMG folks want a bumper sticker but can't drop down the dock, just send a self addressed and stamped envelope longer then 7 and a half inches and I'll drop one in the mail for you.

Send the self addressed and stamped envelope to the dock at 95 East Main St Gloucester Ma 01930 care of Joey (put my name in big letters to make sure it gets to me)